Children’s Advocacy Center helping victims of child abuse

UNION — Two weeks after opening, the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union’s local office has already proven beneficial.

The CAC of Spartanburg, Cherokee and Union opened its Union location on Sept. 9, at 115 Thomas Street, Union, beside the Health Department.

“The center has been serving Union children for many years but has never had a local presence,” said Executive Director Suzy Cole. “Now that we have space in Union, we are thrilled to be offering therapy services there.”

Cole said the move was made possible by the United Way of the Piedmont’s Union Partnership and County Supervisor Tommy Sinclair.

The CAC offers therapy services for physically and sexually abused children. The organization’s website — www.cacsp.org — states services provided start the healing process through assessment, treatment, education and community partnerships. The website also states the CAC offers a child-focused program in which representatives from responsible agencies — law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, victim advocacy agencies, and the mental health and medical communities.

“This multidisciplinary approach brings together under one umbrella all the professionals and agencies needed to offer comprehensive services.”

When an allegation of child abuse is made to DSS and law enforcement, they refer the children to CAC for a forensic interview and/or medical examination. Then, a therapy plan is set up for the child. All forensic interviews and medical exams take place in Spartanburg. A therapist works from the Union office during scheduled appointments.

Cole mentioned that therapy clients in Union appreciate the convenience of the new location.

“One of our therapy clients who had trouble making it to Spartanburg can now walk from her house to our Union office for her sessions,” Cole said. “Had we not opened the Union office, she may have dropped out. Now, I am optimistic she will successfully complete her therapy program. I believe there are other children in her situation who now have the opportunity to get the therapy they need to overcome the trauma of child abuse.”